Token issuing machine



Feb. 2, 1960 Filed June 11. 1956 w. J. HANSON ETAL 2,923,544

TOKEN ISSUING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVEN TORS l l a/ fer I //a//sa/7 ATTORNEY Feb. 2, 1960 w. J. HANSON ETAL 2,923,544

TOKEN ISSUING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet Filed June 11. 1956 ATTORNEY Feb.2, 1960 w. J. HANSON EIAL TOKEN ISSUING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 FiledJune 11, 1956 H I I I INVE TORS f mso/r F) E Sch/Wed ATTORNEY Feb. 2,1960 w. J. HANSON EI'AL 2,92

TOKEN ISSUING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed June 11, 1956 ATTORNEY Feb.2, 1960 w. J. HANSON ET AL. 2,923,544

TOKEN ISSUING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed June 11. 1956 i I i I l I II I 4 V NTORS /2e .5 7 obcr;

ATTORNEY United States Patent TOKEN ISSUING MACHINE Application June 11,1956, Serial No. 590,596 7 Claims. (Cl. 2712.4)

This invention relates to the art of ticket issuing and particularly tothe issuing of such items as valuable tickets, stamps or other papervalue tokens which are to be supplied in accurately counted numbers. Theinvention finds particular application, for example, in the field oftrading stamp issuing where it is often desired to supply stamps rapidlyin accurately counted groups of varying size. a

It is an object of the present invention to provide a device so simplein structure and arrangement that it can be readily operated by anyonewithout danger of error, and furtherof such nature that it can beinexpensively constructed for widespread use. For example, in tradingstamp use, the cost should be kept to a low enough figure that thedevice can be economically furnished to most retailers as a part of apackage installation for trading stamp operations. I

An object of this invention is to provide a machine of the characterdescribed which is of such size and weight as to be easily carried fromplace to place and small enough so that it may be used on a counter ortable without occupying too much space thereon, and yet Will hold asubstantial quantity of stamps to be issued so that frequent refillingis not necessary. 1

A feature of the present invention is the operation of the token feedingmechanism by a device analogous to a telephone dial, wherein theoperator merely selects a numbered finger hole in an operating memberand draws the same to a terminal position, automatically feeding out thedesired number of tokens. I

Another feature of the invention is the provision of an arrangementwherein the aforementioned operating member serves as the drive beltrotating the feedingelements for the tokens in a simple and directmanner. 3 Z 7 Another feature of the invention is an arrangement wherebytokens of a single value denomination can be issued either in units orsmall groups on one hand, or in accurately gauged bulk quantities on theother, merely by selecting the appropriate operating member.

A further feature of the invention is the provision of a pinwheel feedmember constructed in a novel and inexpensive fashion.

Still a further feature of the invention is the arrangement of thefeeding mechanism at a point on the device remote from the operatorwhich may be directed towards the person to whom the tokens are issued,and a cut-off means at said remote location but simply operated by meanslocated conveniently for the operator.

Other objects, features and advantages will appear hereinafter as thedescription proceeds.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a top plan of a token issuing device according to theinvention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the device of Fig. .1;

Fig. 3 is a top plan of the device of Figs. 1 and 2 drawn to a largerscale and with the cover removed;

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the device of Fig. 3, but with a fragmentof the cover included in section V the receptacle 11 and may ,l atentedFeb. 2, 1960.

to illustrate the exitthroat, and showing the token strip supplies inbroken lines; Fig. 5 is a partial longitudinal section takensubstantially on line 55 of Fig. 3, but showing the cover in place andthe cutter mechanism in actuated and locked position;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 4 but showing the frame raised and theguide plate lowered for threading of stamp strips into the'feedingmechanism, the normal position of the guide plate being shown in brokenlines, and a portion of the device being broken away adjacent the feedwheels to expose a detail-section substantially on line 6-6 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is a transverse detail section to a slightly larger scale takensubstantially on line 7-7 of Fig. 4, and illustrating the token stripsupplies in broken lines; 3

Fig. 8 is a detailsection to a slightly larger scale taken substantiallyon line 8--8 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 9 is a detail face view of one of the elements making up thepin-feed wheels of the device;

Fig. 10 is a detail section to a larger scale taken substantially online. 10'-10 of Fig. 8; Fig. 11 is a detail face view of one of thedetent wheels; Fig. 12 is a detail face view of the other detent wheel;Fig. 13 is a detail elevation taken substantially on line 1313 of Fig.5; and

Fig. 14 .is a detail elevation of the cutter bar used in the device ofthe present invention.

Referring to the drawings, the. presently preferred form of theinvention includes a stamp storage receotacle 11 which serves as a basefor the mechanism. At the forward upper end of the receptacle 11 ishinged, as by pin 13, a bracket 15 which depends from and forms arigidly extending part of the frame 17 of the stamp issuing mechanism.The whole frame 17 overlies the'top opening of be swung upwardly aboutpin 13 as seen in Fig. 6 to uncover the receptacle for inserting orremoving the supplies of starnps. A pair ofpintles 19 (Fig. 7) extendfromthe sides of the frame 17 and are positioned to rest against theupper edge of the receptacle 11, for example in notches 20 therein, whenthe frame 17 is loweredto closed position.

The forward end of the frame carries three forwardly of the shafts 35,37 has a central portion square in cross section, designated 39 and 41respectively. Shaft 35 carries a driving sprocket 43 arranged betweentwo pin-feed wheels 45 and 47, all drivingly associated with the squaredportion 39 of the shaft. flanges to separate the sprocket 43 from thepin'fe'ed wheels 45, 47 and may be either separate elements or integralwith the body of'sprocket 43 as shown; Shaft 37 is similarly equipped,except that there is only onepinfeed wheel, the parts being arranged asshown in Fig. 8 with an end flange 53, driving sprocket 55 and dividingflange 57,: and a pin-feed Wheel 59 to the right of the driving drum, ofthe shaft 37.

The pin-feed Wheels each have teethor pins 61arranged in four axiallydisposed sets. The pins of each sets are peripherally spaced around theshaft at distances 7 equal to a standard stamp pins'is introduced intoeach subsequent set Wlll fall automatically intothe next length so thatoncea set of Disks 49 and 51 act as all being fitted on the squaredportion tl a transverse row of perforations,

' they are in driving position adjacent the;

against the bottom of frame 17, and means such as stop 118- prevents-itsdropping into the receptacle 11 even though detached from the catch 117while the frame 17 is raised.

As seen in Figs. 4 to 6, the curved plate 63 which underlies the feedingmechanism may terminate directly beneath the feed wheels and ajflap; orextension 63a is preferably provided w ith slots 65a matching the slots65 of the plate 63 is rockably' mountedon the frame 17 adjacent As thestamps are fed forward by the pin-feed Wheels they passinto an exitthroat 67 formed betweenf the plate 63 and a portion of a cover to behereinaf er described. A cutter bar 69 slidable on frame 11 ad acentthe;exit throat may e Iais dto t of he i t mu The cutter barj preferably?hasa' serrated c; p o nwar ly wa ds. bo as. se nin 1 so, that it wi l.raw of perforations between: the issu retained stamPStQ pro'gres siyelytear r I between the perforations ofsaid. row-- In order to drive thepin-feed wihjeels', sprockets and 55 include radial lugs, or teeth 71which. in the case of sprocket 43, engage in openings 73' and' 75,,ina-fdriving' belt, 77, andiin the case of sprocket 55 ,.engageinLopeni'ng's 79 in a, driving'belt 81.11 The, openings :infthe belts andthe lugs 71' are so'sp'aced thata step-.from one lug to, the next(orfrom one. openingto'the: next) .-will progress the pins 61 one: stamplength, which, in the form shown, is equivalent to onequa rte rrevolution, of the pin-feed= wheels. The belts 77 and 81-fare trainedabout the frame 17 with one reach aboveandone below. At. the opposite orrear endof; the frame are-,rearwardly extending vertical it wallportions 83' and 85 which are slotted as shown at 87- in Fig, 4' toreceive the ends of a tail shaft 9 1; which in turn rotatably carriestail sprockets 93 and 95 with lugs- 97, similar to the lugs 11 'ofdrivesprockets 43 and 55, and similarly spaced; The drive belts77 and, 81 aretrained about thetailsprockets 93 and 195 respectively, and compressionsprings ;9.9 are positioned between thef'rame17 and the ends. of'shaft9. to, urge the same rearwardly and maintainthe belts 77 and 81 taut.The sprockets'93 and 95? are drivingly associated with notcheddetentwheels 94 and 96 respectively which are in turn engaged by springpressed detents on faas11,rrsaa 1an"at; 139 l p he r arwa dl e tend n vt e' :wa m e s 83 and a 85 p The mountings are preferably; adjustable so98am 100, respectively, to signal audibly and tactilely definitepredetermined positions at Whichlfeeding should be stopped at eachoperation. On the upper surface of the frame 17. are concave fingerguideszor tracks 101 and 103 (Fig. 7) which 'underlie the upper reachesof the belts and which are provided with suitable indicia 105 'and107'respectivelyr It will be noted that holes 73' in belt 77 and holes79 in belt 81 are circular finger holes of a size to receive the-tip oftheoperators finger so that they canbe readily engaged, when the desiredindicia is exposed therethrough,-tand drawn to a terminal position, inthemanner -of a -telephone diaL to feed out the desired number ofstamps, from which" it can be seen that the belts and-the holes thereinin addition to being sprocketactuating means, also constitute a manualoperating device for the feeding mechanism. a The belts 77 and. 81 maybe of'any suitable material, but are preferably of a smooth surfacedtough,'wear -resistant and tear-resistant plastic, such as polyethyleneor nylon.

Beneath the frame17 is provided a generally horizonl. u e plat .10 shinsed abou i n o swi g downwardlya ay fr m he frame, n whic is p of:the levers}1 21 and at the other 30 gear 71. 7 "an r spss ix -iwr p ofthetightening actio e. ermina else fi at 6 he; flap 6 4 1 a free edge63b which, is -norm ally 'in contact with a portion of guide plate 109so as to:be held infuppermostposition and in substantially abuttingrelation to plate 63. However, when the frame 17 is in raised 'positionwith guide plate 109 loweredas-seen in Fig. 3,,the flap 63a is permittedto drop slightly so as to provide improved access to the pins 61 on thefeed wheels forthreading a new fsra r ns etsdi #9 12; he

I. 1 .Jan arf k d oiw r e 1.2.3:. 352b .embr i ne: o the ear .11 as i ip sui ab eps ots n' the forward portion of the frame 1 7. -Therearwardly e endin en s of e e er, ar aa as ted t i a p a mtib' n er b.2 as a a e? we dly, b r r spr a s. 25;. e ch an atone e e Alsq dr v nay a ta to hQfiQ PQkQts 23. a 95 re canibe meshed ms ini nr j 3 e withthe a] a t to secure 'a proper f preserymg the. full effect:elt's177jand 81 effected" by n 9 Thi c un er 3 and W r -de i n 9register either the number of stati ips or th'evalue of the ,ee'n fedfrom, the: supply, in the dwill preferably be arranged in a known.

stamps which have e eptacle 1.1, an. p I manner forready.resettingwhenthe supply, is renewed. The counters may. of coursebe .eit'her'addingaor sub} tracting'counters.running either fromzer'oupwardly, or from an initial setting corresponding t olthefnumb er ofvalue of a new sh re; a WP-t3 dt n ei y e r zero... H a .7

Ih .-f, n 1j 1 n he-m qhan sm sawed th eb a protected by a, coversuitably secured to the flame 17 a a flan e flam n at 1 15548 to Hausaal s sifli Adia eut hem t-cnd. e cover a rie -int gr sarwardlr an -dow wd y d e cu ved plate- .45156 Ri a-4 m w i h iappr e the curved-plate; 63when the coverisin-place', and. forms therewith the exit throat 67heretofore described.

3 Preferably the" edge ,ofqthe plate :145woverlap's-the path of pins 61and is notched to mesh with 'pins ofthe pin- .feed wheels 45,47 and 59'so as topositivel'y separate theflst-amps from the feeding pins atthqproper time. Thecover 143 also preferably includes areinovable' upperforward section 147 which permitsinspection of the feed mechanismespecially during the t lirealding of a new stamp supply.Elongate'opefiings 149 an d 15 1 'are provided in the cover 143 at alocationlto overlie the finger tracks 101 and 103 and expose the tracksand h u e ru s the belt 77 and 1 fqrd'viewl and vided onjits' uppersurface With guide chutes l 13, andit lw for guiding strips ofs't'ampsfrom the receptacle 11 to the pin-feeclwheels 45, 47 and 59. A- springcatch normally holds the guide plate 109 in upper positign operation. 1The rearward ends of openingslljQiand are pa itiqnesl. teproud finger.stQRs n i ee ainee the mitiq new a which t e-belts should be pulledwhenoperating the device.

Q un e i w ne Wind ws 157%?! .52; a o r a ly amused at an appr pri teqsat gp i 91111 the over.

aid-"1,41 f rmin 5 v A't'ransverse opening 161 at the rear 'e'rid ofth'ecover exposes the finger har12 5 for. cutteroperation p The receptacle"11 preferably includes partitions or dividers 163 and 165 (Fig. 7) forpositiohingstamp supplies'such as S and S, and keeping thei'ninapproximate alignment with their respective feedirig'wheels. As shown inthe drawing, these supplies arepreferabl'y fanfolded packs.

The particular form of the invention shown is designed for the issuingof'trading stamps whose value is normally related to the value of aretail purchase, the stamps being normally of one denomination, forexample ten cents, meaning that one stamp is to be issued for each tencent value purchased. V

Since ma ny purchases will require the issuance of large numbers of'such small denomination stamps, the left hand side of the devicelooking from the operators end, is devoted to the issuing of bulk lots,preferably in an amount representing multiples of one dollar of purchaseat a time. Thus the pin-feedwheelsfiiand 47 which rotate together arecapable of spanning a column five stamps wide and, if a strip two stamprows in length is fed forward, a one dollar stamp issue will beeffected. This is the reason for forming openings 7 75 in belt 77 asnarrow rectangles instead of circles. While the openings 75 could alsobe circular if desired, the shape shown prevents the operator frominadvertently selecting an opening which would feed out an odd number ofstamp rows. located to indicate the number of dollars in thestarnp issuewhich will result if the indicated opening is {engaged by the operatorsfinger and the latter drawn rearwardly until it strikes the stop 153.The detent wheel The indicia 105 are, of course,

94 (see Fig. 11) is also preferably arranged to provide 7 a detentingaction only between the issuance of each two rows of stamps, while wheel6 (Fig. 12) will provide a detenting action after each single stamp.

The arrangement at the right hand side of the device is designed tohandle a strip of stamps one stamp wide and hence can issue individualstamps from one at a time to nine at a time, i.e. in amounts which aredesignated at ten cents or in multiples thereof up to ninety cents.

The pin feed wheels 45, 47 and 59 are all similarly constructed so thata single description will suffice for an understanding of the makeup ofeach. Four identical elements 167 like the one shown in Fig. 9 areprepared, for example by a simple stamping process. One edge of eachelement is formed with the teeth or pins 61 arranged therealong, whilethe opposite edge includes a T-shaped locking lug or extension 169 andthe central portion has a T-shaped locking slot 171. Four of theelements 167 can be arranged to form a wheel by inserting the lug 169 ofthe first through the longer side of the slot 171 of the second, andsliding the lug 169 to locking position in the shorter side of slot 171.This process is repeated with the second and third elements, third andfourth elements and fourth and first elements,

until all four elements are arranged in right angular relationshipdefining a hollow central rectangular "tube as seen in Fig. 10. Theparts are so dimensioned that the size of the tube thus formed is alight push fito'n the squared portion 39 of shaft 35 (or squared portion41 of shaft 37). The shaft, when in place, rigidly maintains theelements 167 against unlocking displacement and provides a rigidpin-feed wheel which can be'v'ery economically manufactured. If desiredthe arrangement may further include, as shown, the disk 4h (or 51 e1-57) provided with grooves 173 in one face and arranged in a pattern toreceive a small marginal portion of each element 167 for further guidingand steadying the same. In addition, a wire snap ring 175 is preferablyarranged. peripherally about the wheel centrally located in a notch 177in each'element 167. The ring 175 sefves to fill arrayed "about a'squareshaft, equivalent wheels can be constructed on thebasis of anyshaftofpolygonal cross section u sing as manyelements 167 as there are majorfaces onthe shaft. 7 v In"orde"r"to'prevent tampering with the machineand removal of stamps by unauthorized persons during periods when thedeviceis'not v supposed to be in use, a locking mechanism 178 ispreferably provided. This is bestseen inFigs. 4, 5, and 13 and includesa key-controlled bar'rel 179 whichcarri'e's a swin gable hook 181.locked in upward operative locking position by the barrel and movable toinactive position bya clockwise rotation of the barrel whichcan beeffected only when the proper key is inserted. In'the upward position ofthe hook 181v it' overlies an abutment 183 suitably con-' nected to theframe 17 through the orifices of the cover 143, 'if the frame isinlowered position, and thus holds the 'same closed against access tothe interior of receptacle. 11. This prevents removal of the packs S andS from the'receptacle. In order to prevent unauthorized issuance ofstamps, advantage is 'taken of thefact that thecutter bar 69 .closes theexit throat 67 when in actuated position. Thus the finger bar 124carries a depending spring pressed hook 185 which automatically engagesunder hook-181 whenever the latter is in up- 'ward or locked position.Thus locking of the'issuin'g mechanism'may be brought about by merelypressing the bar 124 atany time after the frame 17 has'b'een locked inlowered position. Unlocking motion of the barrel 179 and hook 181 duetokey-controll'ed rotation thereof will automatically both unlockthe'frame'17 and release the 'cutter mechanism'to permit normalstampissuance. v

In using the device of the present invention, after unlocking as justdescribed, the frame 17 may be swung upwardly about pivot 13' to openthe receptacle 11, whereupon stamp supplies Sand S maybe placed withinthe :same in their proper locations. Then guide plate 109 is withdrawnfrom catch 117 and swung downwardly to give access to the feed mechanismas seen in Fig. 6. The strips leading from supplies S and S areintroduced into guide chutes113 and respectively and progressed intocontact with the lowermost pins 65 of the feed wheels 45, 47 and 49.While'urging the stamps'forward manually the feed wheels are movedthrough via belts 77 and 81, or by direct contact with the 'wheels whenremovable section 147 of cover 143 has been opened, thus placing a rowof pins 65 through the-first transverse row of perforations of eachstamp strip and finally progressing the leading edge of the strip up tothe cut-off point, ready for issue. The guide plate 109, resting againststops 118, then automatically 'reengages with the catch 117 as the frame17 with its cover 143 'is'dropped to receptacle closing position. i

-In' order to issue'stampsthe belts 77 and 81.are manually actuated tofeed out the required number. In case a purchase totaling $2.60 has beenmade, for example, the operator will place a finger in the numbertwo-hole of the left hand belt 77 and draw the same towards him untilarrested by stop 153. This will feed out four rows of stamps, fivestamps to a row, having a total designation of two dollars. The operatorthen places a finger in the number sixty hole of the right hand belt $1and draws the same towards until arrested by depressing the finger bar125, the stamps which have been fed out are cutoff andmaybe delivered tothe purchaser. i a When the operaton-wishesto" secure the device fortemporary disuse, aukeyfisplaced in the barrel ,179 and the hook 181turned to locking position, thus locking the frame 17 in receptacleclosing jposition. Depress'iono'f the finger bar 124 permits the hook185 to latchover hook 181, thus holding cutter bar 69 inpositiontdpfevent issuance of stampsthrough the'exit throat 67. .I

It will be readil'y'seen fro'm thegforegoing thatthe present inventionprovides a handy portablemachine in the nature of a top-opening box forholding apack of stamps arranged as a zigzag folded, 's tripiand with ahinged cover unit All of the operatingmeans for the strip feed isarranged on the cover unit for-raising therewithwhen the latter is swungupwardly .fortloading with additional stamps. The whole device, byvirtue of these features, is arranged within a small compass and so madeifvthe finger, after being placed inthe designated opening,

is drawn to' a position against said'stop.

, '3. A strip feeding device comprising a frame; a strip V feedingwheeland a drive sprocket connected for simulas to be sufficientlylightinweight that it can be readily taken from one; counter to'anotheror removedto a safe place for storage.

While the foregoing description has proceeded primarily to discuss theinventionwith reference tothe V issuing of trading stamps, it will beunderstoodthat many aspects of the invention will be fully applicable tothe issuing of stamps, tickets and' strip stored value tokens of varioussorts. For instance, the counting out of and issuing of postage stampsfor sale at post offices could be expeditiously handled in this fashion.

Variations and modifications may be made within the scope of the claimsand portions of the improvements may be used without others.

What is claimed is:

1. A strip feedingdevice comprising a frame; f a strip feeding wheel anda drive sprocket connected for simultaneous rotation on said frame; saidsprocket having large radiating lugs of peripheral extentsufiicientsubstantially to reach across a finger hole; a drive belttrained about said sprocket and having openings therealongof a size toreceive said lugs and spaced to mesh" therewith, at

least some of said openings also being of fingerhole size to receive theoperators finger; means for, keeping said belt ,in relatively tautcondition .so as;to maintain :driving contact with said sprocket; meanson said frame a underlying a length of said belt for guiding theoperators finger; a stop on said'frame adjacent one end of said guidingmeans; and indicia carried by said last named' means and visible throughsaid openings for indicating the opening to beentered by the operatorsfinger for feeding forward various lengths of strip if the finger, afterbeing placed in the designated opening, is drawn to a position againstsaid stop; a p

2. A strip feeding device comprising a frame; a'strip feeding wheel anda drive sprocket connected for simultaneous rotation on said frame; saidsprocket having large flatradiating lugs of peripheral extent sufiicientsubstantially'to reach across a finger hole but substantially narrowerin the axial direction of the sprocket; a drive belt trained about saidsprocket and having openings therealorig of a, size to receive said lugsand spaced to mesh therewith, a first set of said openings also being offingerhole size to receive the operators finger, others of said openingsinterspersed between the opening of said first set, andregularly spacingthe same, being shaped to fit approximately said lugs and preventinadvertent .entry by the operators finger so as to simplify the manualselection of theproper opening; means for keeping said belt inrelativelyttaut condition so as to maintain driving contact with saidsprocket; means on said frame underlying ,a length of said belt forguiding the operator's finger; a stop on said frame adjacent one end ofsaid guiding means; and indicia carried by said last named means andvisible'through the openings of said first set for indicating the.opening to be entered by the opera- 7 tors finger for feeding forwardvarious lengths of strip taneous r a ion qnnsa ftam i s p k hay n largeradiating Jngs' f,peripheral. extent sufi'icient sub-" stantiallyf toreaehacross a'finger .hole;,a.,drive belt trained about'said procket andhaving openings :there- 'along of a size to receive said lugs and spacedto mesh therewith,at'least some of said openings also being of fingerhole sizeito receive the operators finger; means for keeping said beltin relatively taut condition so as to maintaindriving contact with saidsprocket; a detent wheel rotatable coordinately with the operation ofsaid belt, sprocket and strip feeding wheel; and detent means engagingsaid wheel for indicating the point at which the feeding ofpredetermined increments of strip is com- 4. A pin-feed wheel. forfeeding perforated strip comprising a shaft of polygonal cross-section;anda plurality of identical flat elements each having a toothedoperating edge, a locking extension projecting oppositely from saidtoothed edge and an intermediate locking opening, all ar rayed aboutsaid shaft each against a facetthereof, said locking projection ofeachelement cntering the locking opening of the adjacent element, andthe elements when thus assembled in locked position forming among them ahollow tube which is a press fit on said shaft which holds the elementsin suehposition relative to each other that the extensionof each elementis maintained in locking relation to the opening of the adjacentelement;

5. A device for selectively feeding successive numbers of transversely,perforated stampsin strip form, apin-feed wheel engageable' with thestamp perforations while'feed- 7 ing stamps, a sprocket, connected withsaid pin wheel, a

the total value of stamps desired and movingifrom the finger engagingposition to'the stop position will rotate the pin wheel and feed stampsaccordingly.

6. -A device for selectivelyfeeding successive multiple numbers ofperforated stamps in strip form, pin-feed .Wheels engageable withtransverse stamp perforations while feeding stamps, a sprocket connectedwith said pin wheel; a second sprocket spacedyrelative to- 'thetfirstnamed sprocket, a belt supported by the sprockets and having sprocketdrive openings therein with alternate openings of SllifiClGHt size tobeengaged by an operators finger, a stationary element positioned beneaththe upper reach of the belt and having numerals thereon positionedbeneath certain. of the finger openings, and a cover over the upperreach of the belt having an elongate opening exposing thenumerals andassociated belt openings, said elongate opening terminating at one endin a stop position, whereby an operatorsfinger upon engaging an opening.in the belt which exposes the numeral designatw ing the total value ofstamps desired and moving from the finger engaging position to thestopposition will 1 rotate the pin wheel and feed stamps accordingly;

7. A strip feeding device comprising a frame-and a cover supportedthereby; a strip feeding wheel' and a drive'sprocket connectedrforsimultaneous rotation on said frame;jsaid sprockethaving radiating lugs;a drive belt trained about said sprocket and having openings therealong,at leastsoine of saidbpenings being of :a

size to receive said lugs and spaced to mesh therewith, at least some ofsaid openings being of finger hole size selectively to receive anoperators finger preparatory to movement of said belt thereby; means forkeeping said belt in relatively taut condition so as to maintain drivingcontact with said sprockets; said cover providing access from theexterior of the device to a reach of said belt, said reach of the beltproviding a plurality of said lastmentioned openings of finger holesize; and stop means supported by said frame for engagement by saidoperators finger to determine the terminal position of said operatorsfinger and thereby the extent of rotation of said strip feed wheeldepending upon the particular one of 10 said last-mentioned openings inwhich the operators finger is selectively received.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,062,427 Zanetti May 20, 1913 1,650,556 Weber NOV. 22, 1922 1,789,688Rast et al. Jan. 20, 1931 2,496,080 Wimer Jan. 31, 1950 2,663,196Davidson Dec. 22, 1953 2,712,442 Hanson July 5, 1955 2,724,280 DavidsonNov. 22, 1955

